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Jai Jawan, Jai Kishan

While speaking about the ideal path for the saffron party, Dr S. Swamy casually mentioned the unspoken truth. The 2019 elections could be won just on the lines of communal conservatism, striking an image of glorified India and the role of Hindus in it. But, putting his political acumen into context, he added that 2024 candidates, however, will have to account for the promised economy, governance and development. And so did the cards unfold; the BJP manifesto, which fueled the long-standing demands of and unified Hindu Rastra, seemed to land the party in a landslide majority.

But, as incumbency keeps knocking on the door, leaders must find new successes to celebrate. And here we come to another famous slogan "Jai jawan, Jai Kisan". Military mavericks and agriculture agendas have the potential to persuade public opinion in favour of the party when put rightly. Therefore reforms must be more appealing than revolutionising. That brings into the picture primarily non-liberalised agriculture, which employs massive numbers. The fear of losing out to corporates and conglomerates regarding market grab. So let's look at the conditions that make the privatisation of agriculture such a scary picture in India.

In the heart of the fear lies the spiritual attachment to the land. The piousness with which land is treated in India makes it a pivotal gear in the cultural machine. It's a land that reveres its soil with rituals and festivals arising from an agrarian culture. To make way for privatisation is to allow competition with the top guns and a subsequent loss of traditional landholding. To sum up, I believe the Indian farmers are unwilling to leave behind their lands and adopt a more 'worker in a factory' attire.

The second reason, which has disgusted everyone alike, is the bureaucracy. Known for its apparent sluggishness and ineffectiveness, the new bill threatens to put farmers in lines they no longer want to be (after a scary demonetisation experience). Also, we have built a perception of the gruesome turmoil farmers have to undergo if they, unfortunately, are on the wrong side of the law. Although every government has promised to smoothen the process, it's all old wine in new bottles. And do remember, what we are asking for here, is a change in the mindset, which is second in the hardness scale to 'change of culture'.

Finally, we have had some of the worst years in the centuries, none less than those of the great wars. And there has to be a backlash of the casualty and depression on the incumbent leaders. This brings us back to scapegoat politics. With its opposition already made diminutive and military exploits overstretched,  the saffron party is losing scalps to sacrifice. It's a short time before people seek an assessment report, and challenging questions follow.

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